Geneva
-
Posts
920 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by Geneva
-
-
Congrats to all and to Solon "Hardy" Carrasas, my old drill instructor, in particular!
-
1964 Dream-the ovation at the end of St. Kevin's show is astounding! One of the penultimate moments in drum corps.
1965 New York State American Legion Championships on Fleetwood. Roaring from the depths of old War Memorial Stadium on Buffalo are some mighty fine sounds from St. Joseph's of Batavia, Utica's Magnificent Yankees, Rochester Crusaders, and Syracuse Brigadiers.
St. Joe's delivered a real blockbuster performance. Check out the lead sopranos giving a clinic in old time G bugling and some very tasteful and refined french horn solo work. The drumming is an absolute masterwork of spirited rudimental work delivered at some breakneck tempos.
The Utica Yankees played a demanding book and put on display some impressive bugling talent. I always felt that this was an under rated corps. I always loved their jazz renditions.
Rochester Crusaders were the merger super corps that year and on this recording demonstrate some of the momentum which would carry them to their first American Legion national championship that August.
Syracuse Brigadiers had some sparkling bugle work and a lively and interest repertoire. They had a unique and refreshing sound.
-
1995 Madison..............a soprano line to die for!
-
1
-
-
Thanks for the great review, Donny. I wish I could have been there. It sounds like I missed a good time. Hope to see many of you at DCA, if not sooner!
-
OK, Here are the links to the 4/9/11 - 36th and FINAL "Serenade in Brass" from Harrisburg, PA!
Thank you for your patience while these photos, audios and videos were uploaded....
PHOTOS:
In order of appearance
4-9-11 SIB-002 Bucs Alumni
4-9-11 SIB-003 Hanover Lancers
4-9-11 SIB-004 Mighty St. Joes
4-9-11 SIB-005 Skyliners Alumni
4-9-11 SIB-006 Swing House
4-9-11 SIB-007 Reilly Raiders
Apologies, I did not take many still photos as I was video recording the Reilly Raiders.
4-9-11 SIB-008 Park City Pride
4-9-11 SIB-009 Hip Pickles
4-9-11 SIB-010 Westshoremen Alumni
4-9-11 SIB-011 Bridgemen Alumni
4-9-11 SIB-012 Cabs Alumni
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sundm/sets/72157626478507198/
4-9-11 SIB-013 'America' Closing Ceremonies, Westshoremen Alumni
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sundm/sets/72157626478352234/
4-9 to 4-10-11 SIB After Party
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sundm/sets/72157626354190075/
Audio Files:
4-9-11 SIB-002 Bucs Alumni225 (14.24MB)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/888925073b2c8f37/
4-9-11 SIB-003 Hanover Lancers226 (14.75MB)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/888923513aa36589/
4-9-11 SIB-004 Mighty St. Joes227 (12.71MB)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/8889217358009ed3/
4-9-11 SIB-005 Skyliners Alumni229 (14.03MB)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/888920147b89e4f1/
4-9-11 SIB-006 Swing House230 (16.16MB)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/88891826e61e35db/
Please check the website (http://www.swinghouse.org/ - http://www.swinghouse.org/swinghousecd.html)
I highly recommend getting Swing House's CD. If you like the 4/9/11 Serenade in Brass performance you will LOVE the CD. (I know I do!)
4-9-11 SIB-007 Reilly Raiders231 (17.61MB)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/88891648d11f409e/
4-9-11 SIB-008 Park City Pride232 (14.57MB)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/88891466ad51b1f4/
4-9-11 SIB-010 Westshoremen Alumni234 (12.69MB)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/88891294b8bccf15/
4-9-11 SIB-011 Bridgemen Alumni235 (12.77MB)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/88889881648538bf/
4-9-11 SIB-012 Cabs Alumni236 (23.47MB)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/88889616be52e5c4/
4-9-11 SIB VIDEOS
2011-04-09-SIB001_Reilly Raiders (2:04 36.6MB)
2011-04-09-SIB002_Reilly Raiders (1:42 30.2MB)
2011-04-09-SIB003_Reilly Raiders (1:13 21.6MB)
2011-04-09-SIB004_Reilly Raiders (3:11 56.6MB)
2011-04-09-SIB005_Reilly Raiders (2:33 45.3MB)
2011-04-09-SIB006_Reilly Raiders (2:23 42.2MB)
2011-04-09-SIB007_Reilly Raiders (1:50 32.4MB)
2011-04-09-SIB_Westshoremen Alumni (12:19 218MB)
2011-04-09-SIB_Bridgemen Alumni (1:10 20.7MB)
Thanks so much for the recordings for those of us who could not be there. My spirit was there, but my body was in Everett, Massachusetts playing with the Crusaders Senior Corps.
-
The newer Jupiter marching brass (Quantum) are light years ahead of their previous efforts. I had a chance to try one of their Quantum mellos and found is strikingly similar in design to the current Yamaha 204. The 204 would still be my choice, but more out of familiarity then any issues with the Quantum. The Quantum was a fine mello and I would rate it superior to the current King and Kanstul designs. Personally I think Regiment still sounds like the Regiment we all know and love despite the Taiwanese built brass.
I think the development of the Quantum line by Jupiter points to one of the main advantages the Bb/F horns have over the G horns. Due to the amount of sales potential they are still under active development, particularly since the switch to concert pitch by the drum corps activity. For example since 2000 or so we have seen four mello designs from Yamaha, each markedly better then the previous. The Bb/F marching brass is getting better and the lines and arrangers are really getting a grip on their potential.
The G horns are stuck in time now, and I would guess that is what their enthusiasts like. The bright penetrating G horn sound defined 'drum corps' for a long time. And if that is the sound that a group wants then that is the way to go. But I wonder if enough lines will stay on the horns to make a business case for their continue manufacture let alone improvement. Personally I hope so for a variety of sounds makes the activity better. But given the competitive nature of the activity I think the majority will follow the winning units and with the majority of leading groups being on Bb/F the future of G horns doesn't seem to be as bright as their sound.
Michael, I agree with your points about G horns. the trade off between better slotting on B flat vs. better projection and brightness of G's, in my mind, favors G's outdoors as the more dynamic instrument. However, indoors/concert hall where projection is not as important, I feel that G characteristics are more of a burden to be overcome and less of a positive.
-
RIP Carl. A true Purple Lancer.
-
WOW ! What a show, what a great day . Packed house!!! Thank you all for coming .I know you had fun .
All The Best,
Mike D.
Thanks for the great venue. Much better than last year's site.
-
a paid subscrition is not a donation. it is wrong and may be illegal. when you pay for something you are supposed to get what you paid for. and what if you don't own a computer or iphone or anything tech? so you just lose? to just go along is wrong. i do think he should honor his committment to people. if he has that's fine. but if he didn't that' wrong.
I did not mean to equate subscription with donation, I was using it in a metaphorical sense in this situation. I suppose you have a valid point that he should at least give subscribers the option of a pro-rated refund should they demand it. In my case he is welcome to use my subscription balance as a contribution to the format conversion process. I think that DCW can some out of this better and more relevant to the activity.
-
I'm not upset, and I understand. I too love the print version, but even dailies like USA Today and the NY Times can tell you more and more print is a losing proposition. Too expensive, not enough ad revenue especially in this economy, and with iphones, ipads, the web, etc, fewer and fewer people take the time to read newspapers. Hell, people now download books to their ipads and kindles.
Yeah, I guess my collection won't grow anymore, but Steve never ran DCW just for the $$, he ran it for the love too. The problem is the $$ was now a bigger impediment than the love was. I look at it this way....it least it isn't dying totally, just switching formats. I for one applaud Steve in finding a way to keep it alive, embracing technology, and continuing to give us what we expect from DCW, just in a new and exciting
JEFF, I agree. I think you hit the nail on the head. While I can appreciate some people being upset with how Steve converted their subscription into a donation, I think the big picture is more important. I also am happy that Steve has found a way to keep DCW active in the role reporting the events we all want to hear about from reporters who are knowledgable about the art form. I am happy to contribute my money for that cause.
-
1
-
-
I was also there on top of a stack of tables...only 10 years old mind you...and not scared of much. Hadnt made the BIG corps yet....LOL
Ya know some people bust Batavia's chops,but when you look over these national recaps, it seems like we were always in there. Maybe the middle of the pack but always in finals.
Donny
Joe's that year was classic old-time drum corps. Cozzolino at his best! A horn line that could blow the stands down and a drum line with chops to spare. I love the NYS A.L. championship recording that year by Fleetwood.
-
As a past and present subscriber and occasional contributor in the form of articles and photos, I am heartened to see that Steve has found a viable way to to continue on as the voice of the activity. I am sure that in this new format DCW will be more widely read than ever. I would like to add that I have been impressed by the quality and timeliness of Steve's editorial and publishing work. Truely, this must have been as much a labor of love as it was a living for him.
I am excited about the archiving and search possibilities which can be exploited with the electronic medium!
-
Paul, thanks for the great inside look at the 1974 Cavaliers. Like fellow lead soprano, Donny, I was not pleased to find myself looking up at you guys at DCI after having bested you the rest of the season. However, please accept my belated congratulations.
I remember how we marched off past you after some show earlier in the season and I caught an earful of a disspirited Cavalier staffer berating the assembled corps to the effect that if the corps could not do better in competition, then there was too much Cavalier pride to continue. I wonder if that was Frog speaking?Competition seemed much more intense back then. I wonder if todays DCI members feel it in the same way that we did back then? I wish that I had the opportunity to sit in the stands and witness the prelims that year. I know that like the Cavies we played our best show in prelims and just could not reach the same level that evening. I recently bought the entire finals audio recording on the Fan Network and have been impressed at how strong all the top 12 were. It is too bad that there is no video existing of most of the finalists. In addition to Cavies, we were passed by DeLasalle and some corps from California called the Blue Devils (who we beat in prelims). We did manage to beat Blue Stars and Phantom who had been beating us most of the summer. If you are interested in reading that summer's experience from my perspective, go to http://www.dci.org/news/view.cfm?news_id=97bd275f-87e1-40c1-9d9d-6a70d69dbf5a
Golden memories of a great time.
-
It has been said many times before, but I will say it again. It is not the instrument which makes the performer, but the performer makes the instrument. This applies to the vast majority of instruments short of obviously flawed design.
-
I enjoyed participating in your individuals and appreciate the hard work of your organizing committees. It was great to hear all of the participants and meet Richee Price. I was the trumpet entrant. Could you please send me a copy of my critique? Thanks.
-
Apalachin (NY) Grenadiers. In the early 70's they played a book loaded with articulation challenge and were just masterful with a beautiful and balanced sound.
-
1973 Auburn Purple Lancers 34 horns trained by Corky Fabrizio in his heyday...looked good coming out the first day of DCI prelims with the high score. But then the second day scores had a number of corps we had been beating over us. Ended up 17th...
DA
The horn line that year had razor sharp execution. I remember that we had a bigger horn line that year with Geneva and we thought early in the season that we would have Auburn's number. Unfortunately for us, we had nowhere near the ensemble that you guys had!
-
A Corno da Caccia, essentially a circular flügelhorn.
Also note, at 2:40, an entire section of left-handed trumpets and a couple of right-handed French horns ...... hmmmmm.
Looks like negative reversal. Wedding ring on one trumpet player is on right hand.
-
Phantom 1989...great pure drum corps. You can't go wrong.
-
1989 (Les Miserables). I work for Robert's wife's marching band and have been around Robert quite a bit as a result. His arrangements/compositions are incredible and I am very excited to have him on our staff. I also know that Robert has loved the Madison Scouts and before he ever got the call from Jim Mason, he told me how much he loved the direction the corps is going and talked about how this last season brought back memories from the years that he loved most. I remember in 2009 when he came and watched rehearsal and he knew a good amount of Scouts history (Beyond what is common knowledge). Robert is a very welcome addition to the Madison Scouts!
I agree that Robert Smith is top notch and that Madison is in good hands. The sophistication of his Suncoast arranging and the superior performance musicianship was, indeed, impressive. I am excited to hear what awaits Madison.
-
My wife was a guard member that year and she still talks about how they felt not just that moment on the field, but the entire year in respect to the whole show. She also talks about when they performed on the memorial wall when they toured through DC.
That years horn book is one of the many reasons why Robert Smith is being inducted into the HOF this year.
I checked it out on the Fan Network. Robert Smith certainly is a masterful arranger. It should be interesting to see what he does with Madison this year. I also loved Suncoast in 1983. The OTL that year was so well performed.
-
Are trumpets allowed and is reading (vs. memorization) allowed?
-
Not sure if I can link to this clip, but it's rehearsal footage of the Madison Scouts Alumni Reunion Project playing "The Way We Were." Give it a listen.
Pretty much a "who's who" of idiomatic drum corps brass arrangement elements. Elements that exploit and are endemic to the unique instrumentation of a drum and bugle corps. Yet I can think of virtually no corps that used any of them in their brass book this past season, save a few corps with arrangers experienced in the idiom at the helm.
The drastic change in arranging style is astounding, and mostly what's responsible for a decreased personal emotional connection (this I'm sure of) and audience emotional connection (just a conjecture, don't want to speak for others, IMO, IMHO, what have you). What's caused it? Instrumentation seems to be a big one...you can't do what they did with a G midvoice section on F mellophones, for instance. But there has to be more to it. Influence of wind ensemble? Less experienced arrangers with the tried and true ones moving on? Shifting current member interest? Surely it's not due a decrease in hornline talent.
As another observation, this arrangement takes on a level of musical maturity dwarfing that of a lot of what was on the DCI top 12 field this past year. Played on so-called "inferior instruments" with players 20 years on average older. Why is that?
Let's find the arranger of this piece as it was played, because that person should be arranging for the junior corps activity.
Bonus: Can you identify the idiomatic arrangement components from the chart?
Another great example of a "lost sound" from the drum corps past is 1975 Kilties. Listen to them on the Fan Network, especially the tune going into concert (does anybody know the name?). The ensemble is far from perfect, but what a great sound and style!
This is a great example of how the old drum corps sound, warts and all, was so very compelling. Ensemble is unquestionably better in modern corps, but not necessarily as exciting. There certainly was something in the old manner of presentation that was hard to put your finger on, but almost magical. BTW, I was in the stands at this show.
-
I voted other. I had the fortunate experience of attending brilliant live performances held on stage, floor and field by LaSalle Cadets/Cadets LaSalle.
edit: this is for you Geneva
http://www.cadetslasalle.ca/sounds/1969_sh...ternational.mp3Thanks, Linda. Great stuff. We often invited Lasalle to our show in Geneva and they were alway great crowd pleasers.
Corps names
in Historical Junior Corps Discussions
Posted
That is the general drift of it. Lore has it that more specifically the appellation was applied by the NY Skyliners when one of their members wondered at just where Winnek Post American Legion was located as the corps was starting to attract attention with the quality of their musicianship. "Oh, they are from somewhere in 'appleknocker land' ", referring to rural upstate NY.